Official Press Release

(BALTIMORE, MD) - (January 9, 2009) - Marvel Comics' Secret Invasion #1 was the best-selling comic book title for 2008 based on total unit sales to comic book specialty shops, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop-culture products . All eight issues of the limited series crossover event placed in the top ten comics of 2008, and were joined by Uncanny X-men #500 (#6) and DC Comics' first issue of its 2008 mega-event, Final Crisis #1 (#10).

In addition, Marvel Comics closed out 2008 as the top publisher, leading both Retail Dollar and Unit Market Shares, with a 46% Unit Market Share, and a 41% Retail Dollar Market Share. DC Comic's was the comic book industry's second leading publisher with 32% Unit Market Share, and a 30% Retail Dollar Market Share.

2008's top-selling graphic novel was the perennial best-seller, DC Comics' Watchmen TP, which enjoyed renewed success in the wake of the upcoming feature film in 2009. DC Comics also dominated graphic novel sales by taking seven of the top ten spots.

"Comic book and graphic novel sales through comic book specialty shops remained strong in 2008, with graphic novel sales increasing five-percent over 2007" remarked Diamond CEO Steve Geppi. "Our publishers did a tremendous job of creating compelling storylines that comic fans wanted to see, and we remain optimistic about the comic book industry heading into 2009."

2008 TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

 QUANTITY SHARERETAIL SHARE
MARVEL COMICS45.82%40.81%
DC COMICS31.67%29.94%
DARK HORSE COMICS5.05%6.49%
IMAGE COMICS3.32%3.73%
IDW PUBLISHING2.92%3.08%
OTHERS11.22%15.95%

2008 TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS

Quantity

Rank
DescriptionPricePublisher
1SECRET INVASION #1$3.99Marvel Comics
2SECRET INVASION #2$3.99Marvel Comics
3SECRET INVASION #3$3.99Marvel Comics
4SECRET INVASION #4$3.99Marvel Comics
5SECRET INVASION #5$3.99Marvel Comics
6SECRET INVASION #6$3.99Marvel Comics
7UNCANNY X-MEN #500$3.99Marvel Comics
8SECRET INVASION #7$3.99Marvel Comics
9FINAL CRISIS #1$3.99DC Comics
10SECRET INVASION #8$3.99Marvel Comics

2008 TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS

Quantity

Rank
DescriptionPricePublisher
1WATCHMEN TP$19.99DC Comics
2BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC$17.99DC Comics
3JOKER HC$19.99DC Comics
4Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES$14.99DC Comics
5WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER$14.99Image Comics
6BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP$14.99DC Comics
7FABLES TP VOL 10: THE GOOD PRINCE$17.99DC Comics
8WANTED GN$19.99Image Comics
9BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 8 TP

VOL 02: NO FUTURE FOR YOU
$15.95Dark Horse Comics
10Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 01 UNMANNED$12.99DC Comics